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1It is the part of man to prepare the soul: and of the Lord to govern the tongue. 2All the ways of a man are open to his eyes: the Lord is the weigher of spirits. 3Lay open thy works to the Lord: and thy thoughts shall be directed. 4The Lord hath made all things for himself: the wicked also for the evil day. 5Every proud man is an abomination to the Lord: though hand should be joined to hand, he is not innocent. The beginning of a good way is to do justice; and this is more acceptable with God, than to offer sacrifices. 6By mercy and truth iniquity is redeemed: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil. 7When the ways of man shall please the Lord, he will convert even his enemies to peace. 8Better is a little with justice, than great revenues with iniquity. 9The heart of man disposeth his way: but the Lord must direct his steps. 10Divination is in the lips of the king, his mouth shall not err in judgment. 11Weight and balance are judgments of the Lord: and his work all the weights of the bag. 12They that act wickedly are abominable to the king: for the throne is established by justice. 13Just lips are the delight of kings: he that speaketh right things shall be loved. 14The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: and the wise man will pacify it. 15In the cheerfulness of the king's countenance is life: and his clemency is like the latter rain. 16Get wisdom, because it is better than gold: and purchase prudence, for it is more precious than silver. 17The path of the just departeth from evils: he that keepeth his soul keepeth his way. 18Pride goeth before destruction: and the spirit is lifted up before a fall. 19It is better to be humbled with the meek, than to divide spoils with the proud. 20The learned in word shall find good things: and he that trusteth in the Lord is blessed. 21The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and he that is sweet in words shall attain to greater things. 22Knowledge is a fountain of life to him that possesseth it: the instruction of fools is foolishness. 23The heart of the wise shall instruct his mouth: and shall add grace to his lips. 24Well ordered words are as a honeycomb: sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. 25There is a way that seemeth to a man right: and the ends thereof lead to death. 26The soul of him that laboureth, laboureth for himself, because his mouth hath obliged him to it. 27The wicked man diggeth evil, and in his lips is a burning fire. 28A perverse man stirreth up quarrels: and one full of words separateth princes. 29An unjust man allureth his friend: and leadeth him into a way that is not good 30He that with fixed eyes deviseth wicked things, biting his lips, bringeth: evil to pass. 31Old age is a crown of dignity, when it is found in the ways of justice. 32The patient man is better than the valiant: and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh cities. 33Lots are cast into the lap, but they are disposed of by the Lord.